Meet India’s least priced Volkswagen car, the Ameo compact sedan

You don’t really expect Volkswagen to launch a car at a killer price tag, but then there are exceptions. The German automaker has just launched the Ameo compact sedan, and at a price that makes it cheaper than even the Polo hatchback. The Ameo, which is VW’s first ever sub-4 meter sedan, takes on the Dzire-Amaze-Xcent, and starts from 5.21 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi. For now, Volkswagen has only launched 3 petrol variants of the car, with the diesel and diesel-automatic variants to follow in a few months.

Ameo Petrol Ex-showroom Delhi Prices: Trendline – 5.24 lakhs, Comfortline – 6.0 lakhs and Highline – 7.05 lakhs.

One thing that really stands out about the Ameo is that it gets ABS and Twin Airbags across all variants, making the car a segment leader among compact sedans. Other segment leading features on the Ameo include cruise control, rain sensing wipers, power assist for both front and rear windows, anti-pinch function and one-touch operation for all windows, and opening and closing of windows using the key, single folding rear back seat and a touchscreen infotainment system with MirrorLink.

Interestingly, the car shares its 2,469 mm wheelbase with the Polo and that’s not the only thing it shares with its hatchback sibling. Front end styling is similar, and so is the engine and transmission. The front wheel driven Ameo is powered by a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder MPI naturally aspirated petrol engine that puts out 74 Bhp-110 Nm. A 5 speed manual gearbox is standard. Claimed fuel efficiency is 17.83 Kmpl. The more powerful diesel motor and 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox will be offered soon.

So, how does the Ameo’s pricing compare to that of the Dzire, Amaze, Xcent, Figo Aspire and Zest?

Volkswagen has priced the Ameo sharply, what the car offering ABS and Airbags even on its 5.24 lakh rupee base variant. While the Tata Zest undercuts the Ameo by about 17,000 rupees, you need to shell out 5.94 lakhs for the XMS variant, if you want ABS and Airbags. Similarly, the Figo Aspire’s base variant starts 3,000 rupees cheaper than the Ameo but doesn’t offer ABS. You need to opt for Titanium variant of the Figo to get ABS, and that’ll set you back by 6.83 lakh rupees.

The Dzire is also cheaper than the Ameo by 1,000 rupees, but adding ABS+Airbags as options makes it about 24,000 pricier. The Hyundai Xcent and Honda Amaze are both pricier than the Ameo. The top-end Highline Ameo is also very well priced, considering the equipment on offer. The only area where the Ameo loses out is on legroom and the power output of the 1.2 liter MPI petrol motor, which at 74 Bhp, loses a few horses compared to other compact sedans on sale.